Can you help the Alzheimer’s Society in Herefordshire?
13 September 2019
The Alzheimer’s Society is appealing for volunteers across Herefordshire, who can help the 3,000 people living with dementia in the county, to stay active and continue enjoying the hobbies and activities they love.
The Alzheimer’s Society’s Side by Side service matches individuals with dementia, who might feel isolated or find it difficult to leave their home, with volunteers who will provide one to one support to help them remain active and feel part of their local community.
Janet Neate (pictured below), co-ordinates the Side by Side service in Herefordshire and told WISH: “This is a fantastic service, which really helps people with dementia to lead fulfilling lives and to continue taking part in the activities they’ve always enjoyed, along with perhaps trying new ones too.
“We wouldn’t be able to run the service, however, without our amazing volunteers who are crucial to its success. Our volunteers enable people with dementia to stay connected, which can help reduce feelings of loneliness that often occur after a diagnosis. It can be simple things like going for a walk, having coffee in a cafe, watching a football match or joining a local class together, all of which can make a huge difference to someone’s life. What they do together is entirely based on what the person with dementia wants, which is why we’re careful to match people with similar interests or hobbies.”
Janet added that “anyone can volunteer, but patience is a key quality. We often find that those who’ve had experience of dealing with a family member or friend with dementia, are well suited to the role. If you’d like to find out more, please don’t hesitate to contact me on 07885 228890 or janet.neate@alzheimers.org.uk.”
The Alzheimer’s Society’s Side by Side service matches individuals with dementia, who might feel isolated or find it difficult to leave their home, with volunteers who will provide one to one support to help them remain active and feel part of their local community.
Janet Neate (pictured below), co-ordinates the Side by Side service in Herefordshire and told WISH: “This is a fantastic service, which really helps people with dementia to lead fulfilling lives and to continue taking part in the activities they’ve always enjoyed, along with perhaps trying new ones too.
“We wouldn’t be able to run the service, however, without our amazing volunteers who are crucial to its success. Our volunteers enable people with dementia to stay connected, which can help reduce feelings of loneliness that often occur after a diagnosis. It can be simple things like going for a walk, having coffee in a cafe, watching a football match or joining a local class together, all of which can make a huge difference to someone’s life. What they do together is entirely based on what the person with dementia wants, which is why we’re careful to match people with similar interests or hobbies.”
Janet added that “anyone can volunteer, but patience is a key quality. We often find that those who’ve had experience of dealing with a family member or friend with dementia, are well suited to the role. If you’d like to find out more, please don’t hesitate to contact me on 07885 228890 or janet.neate@alzheimers.org.uk.”
Have you seen the other fantastic services offered by the Alzheimer’s Society in Herefordshire?
Dementia Adviser Service not only helps people come to terms with a diagnosis of dementia, but also offers information about all aspects of living with dementia and supports you and your family to access available care and support services.
Memory Cafes in Hereford and Ross-on-Wye provide those with dementia and / or their carers an opportunity to take part in different activities or simply have a cup of tea and a chat with others in a similar situation. The dates for the remainder of 2019, are:
Hereford: Every fourth Thursday 12pm to 2pm (St Martin's Church Hall, 89 Ross Road, HR2 7RJ)
26 September, 24 October, 28 November and 12 December
Ross-on-Wye: Every last Tuesday 12pm to 2pm (Larruperz Centre, Grammar School Close, HR9 7QD)
24 September, 29 October, 26 November and 17 December
Singing for the Brain is a fun, stimulating session for people in the early stages of dementia and their carers. The therapeutic benefits of music can help improve wellbeing and confidence, whilst enhancing memory and recall. There are fortnightly sessions in Hereford, Ledbury and Leominster and the dates for the rest of 2019, are:
Hereford: Monday 10:30am to 12:00pm (St Martin’s Church Hall, 89 Ross Road, HR2 7RJ)
16 September, 7 and 21 October, 4 and 18 November and 2 and 16 December
Ledbury: Wednesday 2pm to 3pm (Ledbury Community Centre, Lawnside Road, HR8 2AD)
18 September, 2 and 16 October, 6 and 20 November and 4 and 18 December
Leominster: Thursday 10:30am to 12:00pm (Leominster Community Centre, School Road, HR6 8NJ)
19 September, 3 and 17 October, 7 and 21 November and 5 and 19 December
To find out more about these services, take a look at the Alzheimer’s Society section on WISH. Alternatively, to contact the Alzheimer’s Society in Herefordshire, please call 01432 371137 or e-mail herefordshire@alzheimers.org.uk.
Memory Cafes in Hereford and Ross-on-Wye provide those with dementia and / or their carers an opportunity to take part in different activities or simply have a cup of tea and a chat with others in a similar situation. The dates for the remainder of 2019, are:
Hereford: Every fourth Thursday 12pm to 2pm (St Martin's Church Hall, 89 Ross Road, HR2 7RJ)
26 September, 24 October, 28 November and 12 December
Ross-on-Wye: Every last Tuesday 12pm to 2pm (Larruperz Centre, Grammar School Close, HR9 7QD)
24 September, 29 October, 26 November and 17 December
Singing for the Brain is a fun, stimulating session for people in the early stages of dementia and their carers. The therapeutic benefits of music can help improve wellbeing and confidence, whilst enhancing memory and recall. There are fortnightly sessions in Hereford, Ledbury and Leominster and the dates for the rest of 2019, are:
Hereford: Monday 10:30am to 12:00pm (St Martin’s Church Hall, 89 Ross Road, HR2 7RJ)
16 September, 7 and 21 October, 4 and 18 November and 2 and 16 December
Ledbury: Wednesday 2pm to 3pm (Ledbury Community Centre, Lawnside Road, HR8 2AD)
18 September, 2 and 16 October, 6 and 20 November and 4 and 18 December
Leominster: Thursday 10:30am to 12:00pm (Leominster Community Centre, School Road, HR6 8NJ)
19 September, 3 and 17 October, 7 and 21 November and 5 and 19 December
To find out more about these services, take a look at the Alzheimer’s Society section on WISH. Alternatively, to contact the Alzheimer’s Society in Herefordshire, please call 01432 371137 or e-mail herefordshire@alzheimers.org.uk.